BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As your healthcare District, the Board of Directors and Staff endeavor to be transparent in managing the public resources entrusted to us and to facilitate an open partnership with our constituents. This website is dedicated to facilitating communication with those we serve and providing a transparent documentation of the healthcare District's business to the fullest extent possible. We strive to keep the information on this site current and up to date. Inquiries regarding the information provided, or about actions taken by the Board of Directors may be communicated by:

Calling our office and speaking with the Board Clerk, Karen Graley, at 760.820.9229

Message from the President of the Board

In 2015, the District leased the medical center to Tenet Healthcare in a bid to preserve the medical center and continue hospital services in the Morongo Basin. Now separated from the medical center, the healthcare District has shifted its focus to a broader agenda – improving access to healthcare and promoting wellness in the community.

Let me update you on some of the exciting things that your publically elected board members have initiated on your behalf.

We have commissioned a community health needs assessment by the University of Southern California to better understand the health needs of our communities. This valuable tool will drive the healthcare District’s strategic planning and will be used to collaborate with our local health partners to improve access to healthcare in the Morongo Basin. The assessment is expected mid-summer, 2017, just in time to begin developing the next three-year strategic plan.

We continue to improve access to healthcare in the Morongo Basin. Our primary means for fulfilling that mission is the Morongo Basin Community Health Center, formerly Hi-Desert Family Health Clinics. With offices in Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley, access to primary healthcare for adults and children is nearby. This year we expanded services with a new dental office in Yucca Valley (located in the Green Building on Yucca Trail), and are opening a new office at the Airway Center for behavioral health services.

Also, ensuring access to healthcare, our LIFT Transportation Services provides free, non-emergency transportation from door to door for medical appointments within the Morongo Basin. Through the generous donation of the Hi-Desert Medical Center Auxiliary and the award of an MBTA transportation assistance grant, we have purchased another wheelchair friendly van to expand this important service to those most in need.

Look for us in the community as we partner with local agencies and organizations who also seek to improve the health and wellness of our residents. The District sponsors public events to encourage healthy lifestyle choices. Visit our Events Calendar page on this website for a list of such events and the details you need to participate.

The healthcare District’s Board of Directors meet twice a month to conduct District business (typically the first and third Thursday of each month). We have been elected by you to represent and protect the assets of your healthcare District. The meetings are open to everyone and I encourage you to attend these business meetings, voice your opinion and give us feedback. We post our meeting agendas on this website for your review. Minutes of our meetings are also posted here for your information.

Your Board of Directors are available to speak at meetings of local community organizations to provide information about the District and how we are fulfilling our mission to improve the health and wellness of the communities we serve. Call our Board Clerk, Karen Graley at 760/820-3027, to coordinate a convenient date. I, too, am always available to our community, 760/799-3113.

Thank you for your continued support to the Morongo Basin Healthcare District. We look forward to partnering with you for a healthy Morongo Basin.